Success Stories | The Medicine Shoppe

“When it Matters Most.”Treena Richards of the Medicine Shoppe Built an Award Winning Pharmacy in the MiramichiTreena Richard, owner of the Medicine Shoppe’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at an early age, with her parents owning a family business. Born and raised in the Miramichi, Treena left for six years to pursue pharmacy and quickly returned to her hometown upon the completion of her degree. She wanted to be self-employed and own a pharmacy that focused on the patient and not on selling products such as soda and tuna fish. When Treena was introduced to the Medicine Shoppe and their commitment to health and wellness, she immediately knew that this was the type of business that she would like to operate. In April 2009, The Medicine Shoppe opened its doors and it has been a success story ever since.The Medicine Shoppe recently won the “Store Score Card Award” for the Atlantic Provinces, an honour bestowed by the Medicine Shoppe’s Canadian head office for customer service excellence and the high standards that were set in her store.According to Treena, “What makes us different is that you are always greeted by a pharmacist or team member. Our store is unique where you truly get to know your pharmacist and you can build a relationship with the customer. We have a smaller store format that is focused specifically on health and wellness. ”Treena is grateful for the support received through the CBDCs and Women in Business. “They really made me aware that they were here. They have always been accessible, around, and encouraging me to attend networking sessions. This helped me to meet new people, then build mutual support as a result.”The best advice she ever received was, “Be patient, work hard and make sure you treat everyone who walks through the doors like family and then you will grow.” She considers her parents as role models and admires many health care professionals who do great work.If she could give advice to any aspiring entrepreneurs, “Be confident and comfortable in the community you are in. Give a high level of customer service and the customers will come back. The real business is repeat customers.”Treena’s future looks bright. They currently have a satellite office in Red Bank and she says, “I would like to continue to move forward, branch out and perhaps in the future you will see more and more of us.”